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It is becoming obvious that those who are addressing the Common Council in Dunkirk are penny wise and pound foolish. As the city navigates through a major financial mess, those stepping forward to complain about $15,000 pay bumps -- for a combined position -- and out-of-town union officials seeking pay increases, definitely ignore a bigger picture.
Even with about $500,000 awarded by the state to Dunkirk's coffers, there is a big problem with the bottom line for 2026. As we have stated in this column before, the $30 million spending plan approved by the last Common Council is not balanced -- and underfunded.
In the meantime, tough business decisions -- that include the layoff of a position -- continue to get micromanaged by the public and courts. How in the world can an arbitrator approve the layoff and the courts decide the opposite?
We hate to say this, but that city labor issue should not be heard in Chautauqua County or in New York state. Judges who decide these cases are compensated through taxpayer funding -- just like the position that was reinstated in the recent ruling. That, in our estimation, is a conflict of interest.
That's not just an opinion. That is a fact.
To be fair, we are not comfortable with anything happening financially in the city. A control board would be heavy handed -- and able to make decisions without fears of continuing litigation.
Dunkirk did not go that direction. That allows the expense faucet to just keep dripping.